The Ultimate Guide On How To Get Rid of Raccoons For Good: Costs Included!
Baby raccoons are cute but can be a nuisance when they invade your property. These masked bandits enjoy the benefits of city life throughout southern Ontario.
Still, they have become such a problem for some homeowners fed up with cleaning raccoon droppings and paying for shingle repairs. They can also cause major damage to your property, gain entry to your attic and even carry diseases.
The raccoon removal cost can be high, and eliminating them can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. This ultimate guide on how to get rid of raccoons will provide you with everything you need to know about raccoon removal, including the costs associated with each method.
How To Identify A Raccoon Infestation: 6 Signals To Detect The Presence of Raccoons
Strange noises: Raccoons typically sleep during the daytime, so you might hear them moving around in your attic or walls at night. In most cases, it's easy to hear them make scratching, scurrying, and thumping sounds.
Foul odour: Raccoons have a distinctive musky smell, so detecting a strong odour in your home could be a sign of raccoon feces and urine in the attic.
Damage to property: One raccoon can cause significant damage to large parts of your roof as it works to gain access to your attic. It can tear off shingles, damage vents and once inside it can make holes in the walls & ceiling.
Droppings: Raccoon feces are usually found in areas where they have been active. The droppings are about the size of a dog's droppings but are more cylindrical in shape.
Baby Raccoons: During the raccoon baby season, a whole family can move in overnight if the mother relocates them from a past nesting area. The sounds coming from a baby raccoon are quite distinct, so if you hear crying sounds from the attic, you have a raccoon infestation that will worsen as the raccoon babies grow.
Footprints: Raccoon footprints can identify their presence. You may see muddy paw prints on the downspout which they climb to reach the roof, especially after rain. Inside the attic, you may see raccoon footprints on top of ductwork or pipes that they navigate to avoid the insulation. You will also see trails in the insulation about 12" wide in attics they frequent. Soft surfaces such as soil, and mud around the property don’t necessarily mean they’re inside the attic though. Snow on the shingles can be a great way to find the raccoon entry hole just by following their footprints. Raccoons have five toes on each foot, and the prints are about 2-3 inches long and easily recognizable once you’ve seen them a few times.
Why do Raccoons Keep Coming Back?
Have you ever wondered why raccoons are picking on you and your property? There a few reasons why raccoons keep coming back but two good ones are
You are a DIY weekend warrior - Don’t expect miracles if you’re trying to evict raccoons with no experience. You’re only making your local raccoons smarter each time they manipulate your homemade contraptions and barricades meant to stop them.
You’re Not Investing Enough Money In Raccoon Prevention - Wildlife services know what works and where the raccoons target to gain entry to an attic, so if they tell you it costs x amount of dollars to secure your home, but you’d rather just deal with to one entry hole for the minimum cost, don’t be surprised if the raccoons keep coming back into your attic. Chances are the raccoons entered through an area that could have been protected if you took your wildlife control technician's advice.
5 Common Areas Raccoons Like To Take Shelter In An Urban Setting
Raccoons are adaptable animals that can live in a variety of habitats, from forests and wetlands to urban and suburban areas. Some common areas that they inhabit include:
Attics: Raccoons can easily climb trees and jump onto rooftops to sleep against the back of the chimney or skylight without the fear of rolling off. When seasons change and temperatures drop, they may gain access to attics and crawl spaces where it's warm enough to raise babies comfortably. Once inside, they begin trampling insulation, wiring, and other building materials. A thorough attic inspection should be done to assess for damage and raccoon feces.
Garbage Cans And Dumpsters: Raccoons are scavengers and are attracted to food sources such as trash cans and dumpsters. They can easily knock over trash cans and create a mess while looking for dinner. It's not uncommon for them to get stuck in trash cans in Brampton; because of the design, it's impossible for small animals to get enough grip to climb out of an empty bin. If you hear or see a squirrel or raccoon stuck in a garbage can, please do the right thing a tip it over so it can escape, or call an affordable wildlife control service that will help for a reasonable cost.
Chimneys: A Raccoon can easily climb in and out of a chimney, but occasionally they become trapped inside. It can cause damage to the chimney liner or flue while trying to escape or even die if not rescued in time.
Trees: Raccoons are excellent climbers and may build their dens in hollow trees. They may also use overhanging tree branches to gain access to roofs or other elevated areas.
Under Decks: Raccoons may be attracted to gardens and yards where they can find food sources such as fruits, vegetables, and insects. They may also build dens under decks or sheds.
To keep your raccoon removal cost low, it's important to take steps to prevent them from entering your home or property. Securing refuse cans, sealing up entry points, and trimming tree branches that provide access to roofs and other elevated areas. If you suspect a raccoon infestation, it's best to contact a Brampton wildlife removal service for safe and humane removal.
Natural Raccoon Deterrents For Prevention
You can take several preventative measures to keep your raccoon removal costs to a minimum and prevent them from becoming a persistent nuisance on your property or in your home.
Garbage Management - One of the most important is food source removal by securing your trash cans and compost bins. Removing any fallen fruits or vegetables can also help discourage raccoons from making your property their home.. Raccoons are attracted to these free meals and can easily knock over an open unsecured container.
Block Enty Holes - It's also important to seal all entry holes, such as gaps in your roof, walls, soffit, or foundation, to prevent raccoons from gaining access to your home or attic.
Tree Trimming - Besides taking away easy roof access for raccoons and squirrels, there are a few others reasons to maintain trees on your property, starting with it prevents roof damage. Tree branches rubbing up against the eavestrough and shingles can lead to early wear and tear. Moisture will stick around long after rain and snow, and ice lingers because of the lack of sunlight. The access tree branches drooped onto the house, and also gives pests like rats and mice an an open invitation to take shelter in unprotected attics.
Combining these prevention measures with those mentioned adds additional layers of protection to help ensure that raccoons do not become a problem on your property or in your attic.
Does Hazing Raccoons Work? Humane Harassment Techniques
Lights - Installing motion-activated lights can also be effective in deterring raccoons from your property. Caution should be taken when installing Pot Lighst, especially if your dealing with an existing raccon problem. Raccoons can climb the drain pipe in and pull out a pot light from the soffit, creating an entry
Scare Tactics - Install a motion-activated sprinkler system. When a raccoon enters the area, the sprinkler will activate, spraying the animal with water and startling it away. These devices will startle and scare off the animals, making them less likely to return.
Radio Devices - An aptly placed radio can bother a raccoon enough to compel them to carry on. The smaller the space, the more effective
Scent Repellent - One such measure is to use predator urine. The scent of a predator such as a coyote or fox can help deter raccoons from approaching your property. Also, planting mint or eucalyptus can help keep raccoons away. These plants have a strong scent that raccoons find unpleasant and will avoid.
How To Get Rid Of Raccoons Under The Deck
Getting rid of raccoon from underneath the deck and preventing them from coming back involves protecting all sides with galvanized with mesh and installing a one -way door.
If done properly this method can keep raccoons and other wildlife like skunks out permanently.
Are Raccoons Dangerous
Raccoons are not inherently dangerous animals but can pose risks to humans in certain situations. Here are four potential dangers associated with raccoons:
Rabies: Raccoons are one of the primary carriers of rabies, a viral disease that can be fatal to humans if left untreated. If a raccoon appears disoriented, aggressive, or unusually friendly, it could be a sign of rabies infection, and people should stay away from it.
Property damage: Raccoons are notorious for their ability to tear through trash cans, rip apart gardens, and damage roofs and attics. They can cause significant property damage and create a mess in residential areas, especially when seeking food or shelter.
Parasites and diseases: Raccoons can carry a variety of parasites and diseases, including raccoon roundworm, fleas, ticks, and lice, which can be harmful to humans and pets. It's important to remove raccoon feces from your property because direct contact with it, mainly by ingesting it, can lead to serious health problems.
Aggression: While raccoons are generally timid animals and prefer to avoid confrontation, they can become aggressive if they feel threatened or cornered. If a raccoon feels trapped or attacked, it may scratch, bite, or use its sharp claws to defend itself, potentially causing injury or infection.
Traps For Raccoon Removals
Trapping raccoons can be an effective way to remove them from your property or home. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind:
Types of traps: A couple of types of cages are available for catching raccoons; some are easier to set, but not all are created equal. A humane trap can capture the animal alive and unharmed, but it's necessary to monitor it often and be prepared to deal with the animal once caught.
How to set a trap: When setting a trap, it's important to select a location where raccoons are likely to travel, such as near their den or a food source. Bait the trap with sardines or KFC. Make sure the trap is securely anchored and that there are no obstacles that could prevent the trap from closing properly.
What to do after trapping a raccoon: After catching a raccoon, it's important to handle it carefully and safely. Wear gloves and cover the trap with a leaf bag. If you are unsure of how to safely handle the animal, contact a professional wildlife removal service for assistance.
Legal requirements for trapping and releasing raccoons: It's important to be aware of local laws and regulations regarding the trapping and releasing of raccoons. In some areas, it may be illegal to trap or relocate raccoons without a permit. Following these regulations is important to avoid fines or other legal consequences. Additionally, it's important to release the raccoon in an appropriate location, to ensure its safety and well-being.
Does Animal Control Get Rid Of Raccoons?
No, city animal control services expect homeowners to call a private wildlife control company and pay them to get rid of nuisance raccoons from their private property.
Professional Raccoon Removal and Repair Services
Benefits of hiring a professional wildlife service - Choosing to hire a professional animal control company to remove raccoons can provide immense relief to those dealing with an infestation causing property damage.
Not only do they have the expertise and specialized equipment needed, but they can also thoroughly inspect the entire property to pinpoint all possible entry points that are attracting them so future invasions won't be as likely. By taking advantage of such professionals, you'll gain peace of mind knowing these pests will soon be gone – safely and humanely!
How to choose a reliable wildlife removal company - With so many wildlife control companies in the market, it can be hard to choose one that is reliable, trustworthy and not too expensive. To narrow down your options and make an informed decision, consider these tips: Read customer reviews - they'll give you a good indication of how other people have found their experience with the service; investigate business history – look into what services are offered as well as how long they've been operational; seek advice from those who already know – get recommendations from friends or family if possible; do thorough research on all relevant information available on them such as do they use humane techniques like one-way door removal etc.; read through any contracts carefully before making commitments. By taking steps like this, you can establish whether a potential vendor will provide dependable service for years to come!
What to expect during the removal process - Raccoons may be cute, but they can cause a lot of damage to your home. To prevent this destruction, it's important to take precautions ahead of time; the key steps include identifying likely entry points and sealing them off quickly as well as humane trap setting or one-way exclusion doors for removal. As an extra measure against future invasions, make sure any potential edibles are removed from your property – raccoons need to eat too! Taking these simple measures will help ensure that you won't have unwelcome critters crashing in unannounced again soon after their departure.
Raccoon Removal Cost Brampton: DIY vs. Professional Wildlife Services
While it may seem tempting to attempt DIY raccoon removal as a money-saving measure, it is generally recommended to hire a wildlife control service to address a raccoon problem.
Firstly, raccoon removal can be a complex and challenging process, particularly if the animals have damaged large parts of the roof and have nested in hard-to-reach areas, such as an attic or under a house addition or deck. Also, it's better to be experienced during the baby seasons, so you know what to expect when reaching for squirrel or raccoon babies. An experienced wildlife control company will have the necessary equipment, tools, and expertise to handle the job in a humane manner. Attempting to remove raccoons on your own can be dangerous and may result in injury to yourself or the animals.
Secondly, DIY wild animal removal may not be as cost-effective as it initially appears. You will need to purchase or rent the necessary equipment, such as a cage trap, ladders and safety gear, which can be expensive. Additionally, if you are not familiar with how to properly install one way doors, which is very important in the removal process, you may mistakenly cause more damage to your property that will require additional services and repairs.
Finally, attempting to remove raccoons on your own can result in legal issues if you do not comply with local laws and regulations regarding wildlife removal. This can result in fines or other legal consequences that can be more costly than hiring a wildlife control company.
While it may seem cheaper to attempt DIY raccoon removal, hiring a professional wildlife service to address the infestation is generally safer, more effective, and more practical.
There Are Several Factors That Influence The Cost Of Raccoon Removal:
The severity of the infestation: The severity of the raccoon infestation is a major factor in determining the price of removal. If only a few raccoons are present, the cost will likely be lower than if a large group or a mother with babies is present.
Location of the infestation: The location of the raccoon infestation can also impact the cost. If the raccoons are in a hard-to-reach area, such as an attic or crawl space, the price may increase due to the need for specialized equipment and additional labour. If raccoons are sheltering under a house addition with no foundation or under a deck, the cost is based on the footage to add wire fencing on all sides. This can be costly if it's a big deck or house.
Method of removal: The method of removal can also impact the cost. Live trapping and relocation can be more expensive than other methods, such as exclusion, which involves sealing off entry points to prevent the raccoons from entering the property.
Cleanup and repair: Depending on how much damage to the property, such as chewing through wiring or insulation, the price for cleanup and repair can add to the bill.
Geographic location: The cost of raccoon removal can also vary depending on the geographic location. Prices may be higher in areas with a higher cost of living or where there is a high demand for wildlife removal services.
Average Raccoon Removal BramptonCost
In most cases, the average cost of the humane removal of raccoons in Ontario can range from $450 to $550, with some prevention services costing upwards of $1,000 or more.
The lower basic costs can include inspecting the property, setting a one-way door, physically removing the raccoons while onsite, and repairing any damage caused by the animals.
It is important to note that the cost of wild animal removal can vary between different wildlife removal companies and may also be impacted by factors such as the time of year and the demand for services. As such, obtaining estimates from several companies to compare pricing and ensure that you are getting a fair and competitive price for the removal services is recommended. If the company is in a rush for you to book or is hesitant to give specific pricing per item on the phone, that's usually a red flag that hidden charges may appear if you hire them.
Bullet Points:
Raccoons can cause damage to your property and carry diseases
Prevention measures are the best way to keep raccoons away
Natural deterrents can be effective in keeping raccoons at bay
Trapping and removal should only be done by experienced professionals
The cost of raccoon removal varies depending on the method and location
FAQs:
Q. Are raccoons dangerous?
A. Raccoons can carry diseases that can be harmful to people and pets.
Q. Can I trap and release a raccoon myself?
A. Trapping and releasing raccoons is legal but is best left to the professionals.
Q. How much does it cost to remove wildlife from an attic?
A. The cost of raccoon removal varies depending on the method and location. DIY methods can cost around $100 to $300 but might not actually work, while wildlife control services can cost $300 up to $1,000 or more.
Conclusion:
Getting rid of raccoons can be challenging, but it's not impossible. By identifying the signs of an infestation, taking preventive measures around your property, using natural deterrents, and relying on professional raccoon removal Brampton services, you can get rid of raccoons from your property. However, it's important to keep in mind the costs associated with each method and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. Use this ultimate guide to make an informed decision and enjoy a raccoon-free property.
